Chicago Bears earn lowest grade of season in loss to Vikings

Monday

Dec 2, 2013 at 4:59 PM

Sunday's loss was not only the most damaging for the Chicago Bears this season, it also came because of their worst performance of the year. Here's how I graded it.

The Chicago Bears had several chances to beat Minnesota and stay in a tie for first in the NFC North with Detroit. Up 20-10 in the fourth quarter, it all came crashing down, and they lost 23-20 in OT to put them in hot water headed down the stretch.

Here is how I graded the team for this week's Bears report card (sorry for the tardiness):

Passing offense: B+

Obviously, Alshon Jeffery (12-249 and 2TDs) is blossoming into a star, and he was in the spotlight again this week. Josh McCown was productive (23-for-36 for 355 yards with 2 TDs and no INTs), but – for the first time this season – I believe the Bears would have won this game with Jay Cutler in at QB. Two offensive touchdowns and 20 points? Not nearly good enough.

Rushing offense: B

This could've been a solid A, and Matt Forte (23-120) had what I thought was his best game of the season. But the Bears failed to keep in a groove late, and it cost them the game. And, again: 20 total points won't cut it.

Passing defense: C-

The Bears had five sacks and an interception, but when you allow Matt Cassell, basically a third-stringer, drive down for the winning score in OT, you lose a full letter grade right there.

Rushing defense: F

Adrian Peterson (35-211) is a slippery dude anyway, but the Bears are having serious trouble tackling running backs these days, and it was ugly at times Sunday.

Special teams: C

More costly penalties, and a whole bunch of average nothingness, still flows out of this unit.

Coaching: F

Ouch. Marc Trestman fell on his face in this one, mainly with his final move to kick on second down. There were other issues as well – for the fourth straight game.

Overall: F

I don't doll out F's very often, but this was a dagger for the Bears, and one they had to have, and yet, they coughed it away anyway.